Awards

Staff Pick

Imagine... a vividly crafted world in which dragons and the veneration of saints figure prominently. Tight, evocative prose. A stoic, thoughtful, and wise heroine who just wants to make music, torn between the world of humans and the world of dragons. Now imagine that this story has been marketed to the young-adult crowd. Surprised? So was I! If you have a weakness for richly detailed fantasy, Seraphina will make you swoon. Give it a chance — even if you've never picked up a young-adult title before!Recommended by Kara, Powell's Books at PDX

This is the kind of book that fantasy fans wait years to read. Superb writing mixed with great characters and, of course, dragons! Though it's a young adult title, this book will please fans of all ages. Seraphina is the perfect kind of heroine for today's readers: strong, independent, and full of potential.Recommended by Erin D., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered — in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

Review:

"Beautifully written, well-rounded characters, and some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy for a long while. An impressive debut novel; I can't wait to see what Rachel Hartman writes next." Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon

Review:

"A book worth hoarding, as glittering and silver-bright as dragon scales, with a heroine who insists on carving herself a place in your mind." Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of the Temeraire series

Review:

"Seraphina is strong, complex, talented — she makes mistakes and struggles to trust, with good reason, and she fights to survive in a world that would tear her apart. I love this book!" Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Beka Cooper series

Review:

"A wonderful mix of thrilling story, fascinating characters, and unique dragonlore. I loved being in Seraphina's world!" Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona

Review:

"Just when you thought there was nothing new to say about dragons, it turns out there is, and plenty! Rachel Hartman's rich invention never fails to impress — and to convince. It's smart and funny and original, and has characters I will follow to the ends of the earth." Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award-winning Author

Review:

"Hartman proves dragons are still fascinating in this impressive high fantasy. Equal parts political thriller, murder mystery, bittersweet romance, and coming-of-age story, this is an uncommonly good fantasy....An exciting new series to watch." Booklist, Starred Review

Video

About the Author

As a child, Rachel Hartman played cello and lip-synched Mozart operas with her sisters. The famous Renaissance song "Mille Regretz" first moved Rachel to write a fantasy novel rooted in music, but her inspiration didn't end there. She wrote Seraphina while listening to medieval Italian polyphony, Breton bagpipe-rock, prog metal, Latin American baroque, and Irish sean nós.

Rachel Hartman lives with her family in Vancouver BC. To learn more about her, visit her website at RachelHartmanBooks.com.

Average customer rating based on 8 comments:

LavenderPixie, January 16, 2013 (view all comments by LavenderPixie)
Dragons are the vampires of yesterday! Interesting take on dragons, their role in 'society' and how this role can seem perfectly normal, acceptable, realistic to the storyline!

This is a hot topic for the young adult readers. I think I'd have enjoyed this book a lot more if I'd read it when I was younger!

Joanna S Stein, January 12, 2013 (view all comments by Joanna S Stein)
I gobbled up high fantasy like this by the shelf-full as a teenager but it's been a while since I had picked up a recent publication. My thirteen year-old self would have adored Seraphina even more than my present self does. It's a smart, magical and romantic book with just the right number of cruel dangers for a smart, mysterious and plucky heroine to fight against.

Imagine... a vividly crafted world in which dragons and the veneration of saints figure prominently. Tight, evocative prose. A stoic, thoughtful, and wise heroine who just wants to make music, torn between the world of humans and the world of dragons. Now imagine that this story has been marketed to the young-adult crowd. Surprised? So was I! If you have a weakness for richly detailed fantasy, Seraphina will make you swoon. Give it a chance — even if you've never picked up a young-adult title before!

by Kara

"Staff Pick"
by Erin D.,

This is the kind of book that fantasy fans wait years to read. Superb writing mixed with great characters and, of course, dragons! Though it's a young adult title, this book will please fans of all ages. Seraphina is the perfect kind of heroine for today's readers: strong, independent, and full of potential.

by Erin D.

"Review"
by Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon,
"Beautifully written, well-rounded characters, and some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy for a long while. An impressive debut novel; I can't wait to see what Rachel Hartman writes next."

"Review"
by Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of the Temeraire series,
"A book worth hoarding, as glittering and silver-bright as dragon scales, with a heroine who insists on carving herself a place in your mind."

"Review"
by Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Beka Cooper series,
"Seraphina is strong, complex, talented — she makes mistakes and struggles to trust, with good reason, and she fights to survive in a world that would tear her apart. I love this book!"

"Review"
by Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona,
"A wonderful mix of thrilling story, fascinating characters, and unique dragonlore. I loved being in Seraphina's world!"

"Review"
by Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award-winning Author,
"Just when you thought there was nothing new to say about dragons, it turns out there is, and plenty! Rachel Hartman's rich invention never fails to impress — and to convince. It's smart and funny and original, and has characters I will follow to the ends of the earth."

"Review"
by Booklist, Starred Review,
"Hartman proves dragons are still fascinating in this impressive high fantasy. Equal parts political thriller, murder mystery, bittersweet romance, and coming-of-age story, this is an uncommonly good fantasy....An exciting new series to watch."

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